the abdominal u/s shows extreme thickening of the stomach and intestinal walls an d fluid build up. it cannot be cured. it is not related to the heart disease. it could be one of 3 things. least likely is inflammatory bowel disease. but the extent of the thickening makes that very unlikely. it's most likely either FIP or gastrointestinal lymphoma, the only way to know for sure is to put her through a biopsy of the fluid which i'm not sure i want to do.

in either case, the only thing that could prolong and perhaps improve prognosis for a short time is chemotherapy. wtf.

for the moment she is not in pain, can go to the bathroom and can be perky and somewhat playful, though not her old hell raising self, and very affectionate.

and it could be as little as a month, before she stops eating.

dr verra kept saying how sorry he was and gave me a big hug. he said that my "countenance through everything, going back to Zevon, has been remarkable" and that i am an inspiration to him. that was sweet. doesn't really help, but it was sweet. poor guy never has super good news for anyone who has to see him, it can't be easy.

soooo. i won't tell you how i'm feeling because i'm sure you know or can imagine. i can't believe i have to do this again. and now? really??

thanks Dee. she's very perky and eating well so i'm just going to be positive (what's one more thing) and keep up with the heart meds and the steroid that's been added. she's vomiting a lot less and like i said, is acting well. when and if she's ready to not do well any more, she'll let me know.

I probably spelled it wrong, sounds like the same stuff, works great. I owe an added year on satchmo's to this steroid. He did not deteriorate until a week before he passed. I was apprehensive about a steroid at first but after our experience with satchmo I highly reccomend them to anyone. It gave me time to come to terms with losing a most beloved friend, so that when he did pass I was at peace with it.

they're definitely related Ray, i think it said mine was a derivitave of, or something like that. she's still doing well, i'm relieved to know she can be on the steroid for a while if she continues to do so. i'll be happy when her fur grows back, her entiiiiire chest, belly and a big patch on each of her sides are bare. her shoulders have fur, her hips have fur and she has a mohawk hair-do down her spine connecting them. i can't help but kiss her soft skin whenever i get the chance.

they're definitely related Ray, i think it said mine was a derivitave of, or something like that. she's still doing well, i'm relieved to know she can be on the steroid for a while if she continues to do so. i'll be happy when her fur grows back, her entiiiiire chest, belly and a big patch on each of her sides are bare. her shoulders have fur, her hips have fur and she has a mohawk hair-do down her spine connecting them. i can't help but kiss her soft skin whenever i get the chance.